Leaf-binding clasp.



F. I. ELLICK.

LEAF BINDING CLASP.

APPLICATION FILED APR.6, 1914.

Patented July 28, 1914.

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unt nun THE NORRIS PETERS (O.. PHOTO-L!THO.. WASHINGTON. D, C.

To and whom it may concern U E TA-TE T ATEN OFFICE- FRANK I. ELLIGK, on OMA A, NEBRASKA.

LEAF-BINDING CLASP.

Specification of LettersPatent. PfltentedJllly 28, 1914:.

Application filed April 6, 191-4. Serial No. 829,763.

Be it known that I, FRANK I. ELLI'oK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Omaha, in the county of Douglas and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Leaf- Binding Clasps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in leaf-binding clasps useful for holding the edges of leaves or sheets in connected relation and particularly useful for this purpose when mounted in the backs of book covers.

The object of the invention is to provide an article for this purpose which may be conveniently and economically manufactured, may be readily adjusted for holding or releasing the leaves, and will be durablein wear. 7

With these objects in View, the invention presents a novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as describedherein and claimed, and as illustrated in the drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a front view of the clasp. Fig. 2 is a transverse section thereof on line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on line 3 3 of Fig. 4, the view being broken and on an enlarged scale. Fig. 4 is a plan view showing open book covers with a pair of clasps applied thereto for holding the sheets or leaves. p

Referring now to the drawing for amore particular description, the clasp best shown in Figs. 1 and 2 consists of an angular frame or stationary part 5 and a latch bar 6 pivotally mounted thereon as indicated at 7 The.

frame 5 may be constructed of an integral, rectangular, elongated, metallic sheet or plate without waste of material or use of solder, said plate being bent near one of its ends substantially at right angles to provide a rectangular bracket-member or wing 8 and a back 9, the wing being bent inwardly toward the back to provide a flange or rectangular leaf-spring 10 disposed inclinedly with reference to said wing 8, said plate also being bent substantially at right angles near its opposite end to provide a second wing 11 disposed in the plane of wing 8, said wing 11 bein bent inwardly to provide a flange or reinforcing-plate a adapted to abut upon the back 9 and providing a mounting opposite to the spring-leaf 10 for the pintle or pivotin 7. p The latch bar is preferably of cylindrical form and is provided near one of its ends with an aperture, as plainly shown in Figs. 2 and 3, to receivethe pivot pin, and is adapted to have swinging movements so that it may become engaged by or released from the spring-leaf, an aperture 12 being formed in and midway between the ends of said leaf or spring and operatingas a catch for said latchbar. v g

It will be noted that wing 8 has'a greater width than wing 11, and that aperture 12 is disposed midway between the longitudinal edges of the leaf-spring, and therefore the latch bar is disposed substantially parallel with the back 9 when it engages within aperture 12, the pivot pin 7; and aperture 12 being equi-distant from said back. This construction is of advantage since it provides a bearing-surface on the leaf-spring outwardly of aperture 12 uponwhich the conveXed end of the latch bar may slide for depressing the spring, and provides a uniform space adjacent to the back 9 for containing the ends of shown in Fig. 3, may be withdrawn, said leaves being provided with apertures b within which the latch may engage. The latch bar as plainly shown inthe drawing is pro I vided with convexed ends 0 and is of such a length that only a limited movement of the spring is required to efliect its release, and the arrangement of parts is such thatthe latch can be released only by manually operating the spring. Apertures 14 are preferably formed in the back 9 so that the clasps may be mounted in the back 15 of book covers 16 and this mounting may be effected by use of screws, as shown, or other suitable means. By reference to Figs. 3 and 4 it will be seen that the springs of the clasps are dis posed in such a position that they are accessible for causing a release of the leaves. To cause the latches to become caught within the apertures of the springs, they may be springs and the'locking is automatic.

Among some of the advantages to be derived by use of the invention, in addition to the features already mentioned, it may be stated that the clasps may be used for holding any package of leaves, maps, charts,

photographs or the like, and connecting them in book form, and for this purpose they are generally employed in pairs, or they may be used for this purpose in connection With book covers'as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. They may have any suitable size or proportion and may be constructed of any suitable material, though the best re sults are attained by using attenuated spring steel sheets for the back and'Wings.

Having fully described the invention, a further explanation relating to operation is not necessary.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

1. In a leaf holding clasp, a frame consisting of a rectangular, elongated, integral plate bent at right anglesnear one of its ends to provide a back and a first rectan gular Wing having an apertured, inwardlyprojecting, inclined flange terminating near said back to provide a spring, said plate also being bent at right angles in the same direction near its opposite end to provide a second rectangular wing having an inturned part adapted to abut upon said back, and a latch bar mounted on the second Wing adapted to have swinging movements for alternately entering and leaving the aperture of the inclined flange of the first Wing.

2. In a leaf holding clasp, a frame consisting of a rectangular plate bent at right angles near one of its ends to providea back and a first wing having an apertured inturned part disposed inclinedly With reference to said first wing to provide a leaf: spring, said plate also being bent at right angles in the same direction near its opposite end to provide a second Wing having an inturned part to provide a mounting for a pivot-pin, and a latch bar mounted on said pivot-pin adapted to engage in the aperture of said leaf spring, and to have a swinging movement for a release from said aperture when the leaf-spring is depressed.

'3. In a leaf-holding clasp, a frame consisting of a metallic plate bent near one of its. ends to provide a back and a first out- Wardly projecting Wing having an apertured inturned part disposed inclinedly with reference to said first wing to provide a leaf-spring, said plate also being bent in the same direction near its opposite end to provide a second Wing having an inturned part to provide a reinforcing plate and to provide a mounting for a pivot-pin, and a latch bar mounted on the pivot-pin for depressing the leaf-spring and engaging in said aperture during one of its swinging movements.

i. In a leaf holding clasp, a frame, comprising a rectangular apertured back, an outwardly-projecting bracket-member connected with one end of the back and having an inturned resilient part provided With an aperture, an outwardly-projecting wing connected. with the opposite end of the back, and a cylindrical latch-bar pivotally mounted at one of its ends 011 said outwardly-projecting Wing for engagement of its opposite end with and to depress the inturned resilient part of said bracket-member for permitting said latch-bar to engage Within said aperture. i

In testimony whereof, I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses. V

FRANK I. ELLIGK. \Vitnesses:

HIRAM A. STURGEs, EMERY PETERSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. i 

